Myanmar and China Hit by Natural Disasters

According to the latest Straits Times reports, the Myanmar government has expressed that it would be opening up the schools for the children to attend, in view of Cyclone Nadis. The government declared that all schools in the cyclone-devastated areas would reopen after the authorities carried out safety inspection checks.

This is indeed heart warming, as the Myanmar government, the military junta has been openly criticized worldwide for its reluctance in allowing foreign aid to enter the cyclone worst-hit areas. It claims that it was self-sustainable, able to cope in providing its people aid, much to many countries disbelief. Economically stable and abundant USA was in desperate need when Hurricane Katrina stuck, and Myanmar which is a third-world country claims it can handle the aid in the victims alone? It has sparked off a lot of controversial arguments, and UN big shots have even publicly criticize Myanmar.

However, the government's step in reopening schools to allow education to continue is a good sign, as the government gradually shows its openness to foreign ideas which it was once totally unthinkable of. Today, as Myanmar gradually accepts foreign aid, it has received less foreign criticism.

It is also heart-warming to see the children in Myanmar able to start education, as education is the only hope for these children to break out of the poverty cycle. The government has shown the worldwide community that they care and are determined to break the citizens from the poverty cycle. As education is the sole way to have better jobs, the future of Myanmar lies in the children's hands. The government has shown its far-sightedness by prioritizing education and that is indeed commendable. The government is also receiving more foreign advice and aid, much to the delight of the cyclone-devastated victims.

However, as Myanmar authorities allow foreign aid to enter, the corruption in the government is still perpetuated. Just by taking closer examination in the charity shows held by the media in Singapore, we can see that the donations raised by the Singapore public for China and Myanmar differ greatly. The corruption has put many donors off worldwide, as doubts are raised if the funds are really channeled and reach the cyclone-devastated victims. Where and how the donations would be spent is very much in question. The corruption still persists, and government officials still embezzle funds and donation items such as food and medical supplies.

This corruption that is perpetuated in the government is terrible. It hinders monetary and supply aid to the cyclone victims which are of a terrible state. The victims are unable to receive foreign aid due to the dubious government, hence I extend my heartfelt pity towards the cyclone victims. Till this very moment, the Myanmar victims are still keeping their hopes high for aid, unknowing or knowing but helpless that their government is the due reason that aid is slow in reaching them. The UN should step in and provide more aid on an unconditional basis to help rectify the problems caused by the disasters. It would take a certain investment to help the disaster-struck victims, but the investment is a certainly worthy one.